Winnebago County Retired Teachers Association
Blanche J. Martin Scholarship
Blanche J. Martin Biography:
An outstanding educator all of her life, Blanche J. Martin was a principal, a director of education, an assistant superintendent for elementary education, and a regional superintendent of schools in Winnebago and Boone counties.
She received many awards beginning when she was a student teacher at Lincoln College in 1939 and continuing through her years as an assistant superintendent for the Rockford Public Schools and as the Regional Superintendent in our two adjacent counties. Ms. Martin died in 2007 leaving to the Winnebago County Retired Teachers Association an endowment to be used for scholarships.
Her wishes are that the scholarships be awarded to recipients who will become teachers in elementary schools.
Deadline for this year’s scholarships is April 15.
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Winnebago County Retired Teachers Association
Blanche J. Martin Scholarship
For Elementary Education Certification
* General Information
- The scholarship will be awarded to a college student pursuing Elementary Education certification.
- The student selected will receive a scholarship of an amount to be determined annually.
- If, for any reason, the recipient does not conform to any or all policies, the Blanche J. Martin Scholarship Committee has the right to revoke the scholarship.
- Applications must be received by April 15, 2022, at the Regional Office of Education 4,
* Eligibility
- Application is to be postmarked or received by April 15, 2022.
- In order to qualify for a Blanche J. Martin scholarship, the applicant must be a college student taking classes in an elementary education teacher certification program.
- Applicants must be from Winnebago County, having graduated from a school in Winnebago County, or have permanent family residence in Winnebago County if currently in college.
- Students may be attending any college or university in the United States.
* Application Procedure
A. Application: Each applicant must complete an application from the Winnebago County Retired Teachers Association (WCRTA) Blanche J. Martin Scholarship Committee. Applications are available at the Regional Office of Education, 300 Heart Boulevard, Loves Park, Illinois 61111. All applicants must complete the consent for information release on the ap. form.
- Essay: Each applicant submits an essay of 500 words or less. Type your essay response on 8 ½ x 11inch white paper. Please address the prompt questions (found on Ap. p. 2)
- Two Reference Letters: Two letters of reference are required, with at least one to be academic-based (such as a professor or current or past teacher). Letters should address your interest in teaching and the qualities that will make you a successful educator.
- Transcript: Your current school will make available a copy of your transcript. Send transcript with your application. Otherwise, mail to the Regional Office of Education 4, 300 Heart Boulevard, Loves Park, Illinois 61111-7516: Attention: Blanche J. Martin ScholarshipCommittee.
- Complete the two-page application form.
* Documentation Check List
______Application pp.1&2
______Reference #1
______Reference #2
______Essay
______Transcript
Instructions
Essay must be typed.
Include your name on each page of the application
Do not send folders, binders, photographs, or other attachments.
Copy the complete application for your records.
Reminder: Deadline is April 15
* Selection Procedure
A. Selection of recipient(s) of the WCRTA Blanche J. Martin Scholarship will be made by the WCRTA Scholarship Committee.
B. All applicants will be notified of the scholarship process outcome by early June.
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Blanche J. Martin Scholarship Application Page 1
Winnebago County Retired Teachers Association
Please print or type in black ink.
___________________________________________________________________
Last name First Middle
________________________________________________________________________________
Street Address City State Zip/Postal Code
_______________________________________________________________________________
E-mail address Land Line # Cell Phone Emergency back-up #
__________ Student Status: So., Jr., Sr, or grad (re: college level).
__________ Academic Record: If your transcript is attached, use “A” in the blank. “WBS” indicates
the transcript will be mailed separately.
__________ GPA: Grade point average is to be figured on a 4.0 scale.
_________________________________________________________________________
Name of College attending College Phone #
________________________________________________________________________________
Street Address City State Zip/Postal Code
________________________________________________________________________________
Name of Scholastic Advisor E-mail or phone #
CONSENT TO RELEASE INFORMATION:
* I, ______________________________, give consent for the WCRTA Blanche J. Martin Scholarship Committee to announce my selection and other subsequent information to the media if I am a chosen recipient.
Applicant Signature_______________________________________
Date : ___________________________
See next page for names and further information concerning your references, your essay question and prompts, and further instructions re: eligibility.
Page 2
References: List the two people you have asked to provide letters of reference. One should be a professor or past teacher who knows your academic ability and the other may be a person of your choice who knows you well. List the name, title, and phone # or e-mail address for each reference. Have them submit their letters of reference (see address below). In addition, you must complete the application form [including the previous page], an essay [ see below], and a copy of your current school’s transcript to: Regional Office of Education 4, 300 Heart Boulevard,
Loves Park, Illinois 61111-7516; Attention: Blanche J. Martin Scholarship Committee
___________________________________________________________________
Name Title E-mail or phone #
___________________________________________________________________
Name Title E-mail or phone #
* Essay Question: Attach your response to the following essay prompt in 500 words or less.
The essay should be typed and preferably double-spaced.
Prompt: You have provided us with information about your academic history. It is likely that many other applicants for this scholarship will have similar experiences. Therefore, we want to know what sets you apart from other prospective educators that would make you deserving of this scholarship. What unique qualities or experiences will you bring to your teaching career? What kind of teacher do you aspire to be?
NOTE: The Blanche J. Martin Scholarship awarded by the Winnebago County Retired Teachers is open to the following candidates:
- College students who have declared and/or applied to be in an Elementary Teacher Education program at the sophomore, junior, or senior level.
- College students who are graduating seniors planning to pursue a master’s degree in elementary education.
- College graduates who are currently enrolled in and are pursuing a master’s degree in elementary education this next semester.
Please refer to other eligibility requirements on cover sheets regarding this application.
Ap. Page 2
